THE SEARCH FOR A ROLE MODEL
THE CULT OF CELEBRITY
Today many of our youth search for a role model. I have to ask the question why the search? So many times we hear celebrities should be role models to which I reply BULL!!!! If you have a child who is searching the cult of celebrity for a role model you have already lost the battle for your child’s soul.
ROLE MODELS LIKE CHARITY BEGIN AT HOME
Sure we are all very busy leading our very important hectic lives but don’t forget your children didn’t ask to be born to you. We all have a sacred obligation to take the necessary time to be role models to our children so don’t shirk this most important duty God gave you. Take time to talk to and not at your children and let them know they matter most to you. A little daily attention can work wonders in both you and your child. It’s a learning experience for both.
The single most important thing your child will ever learn doesn’t come from books. It comes from the love and attention of their parents. Praise loudly in public and criticize softly in private and you’ll be amazed at the effect it will have on your children. I don’t suggest that you patronize them you must be genuine or a child will sense deception and all your efforts will be in vain.
Genuine praise builds love for you and self esteem for your child while deception builds nothing but scorn for you and confusion in the relationship. You have to let your children know you are the boss but you are also willing to genuinely listen to their point of view. You may just get the surprise of your life at the intelligence they display. You may even question their parentage such as “ Were they switched at birth”?
EXAMPLE
I have previously discussed my dad’s work schedule of 67.5 hours per week with every other night off at 6:00 PM and every other Sunday off. Back in 1963 when I was a junior in high school dad let me have his car on a work night to go to a basketball game. After the game ended at 9:00 PM some of my buddies and I started cruising around town. All of a sudden the news came on the radio and announced it was 10:00 (time for dad to go home). I said “Guys I got to go get dad it’s time for him to close the store.” My friend Eric Jurgensen said, “Tom we’re listening to WLS in Chicago it’s 11:00PM here!” After I emptied the car I went to take my medicine and there was dad setting on the porch of the closed store. I had visions of never driving his car again at the least. I took the course of throwing myself on the mercy of the court. I apologized for at least five minutes non-stop while dad remained silent. It was driving me crazy and I finally said “Please just kill me and get it over!” Dad very calmly replied, “I don’t ask for much I just like to go home after work and relax a little before bedtime, but this is the only time I will tolerate this do you understand!”
Now that’s a real role model to me.
